IN
CONVERSATION WITH PIERRE MONTEUX, Conductor
IN CONVERSATION WITH FRITZ KREISLER, Violinist

$12.00
per CDMONO

Pierre
Monteux and Fritz Kreisler are interviewed separately by Edward Kelly,
music critic of a Boston newspaper.
This is quite special as it will give us insights into their lives and
plans in early 1955 as well as the sound of their unique voices.
The sound of the recording is C- but don't let that turn you away from
these historical recordings. Both were issued by RCA Victor for
promotional radio station purposes at a time when 95% of all FM stations
were broadcasting classical music full-time.

A 78 minute CD of pristine 78 RPM Records Transferred to CDThis
is volume one of a potpourri of orchestra classics one might stumble
across in the attic or at a yard or tag sale in front of a large, old
home. Yet these disc are is near perfect condition! Among the discs are some rare recordings of
music which have not found their way onto CD until now.

A
paring of two unique Ferdinand Leitner recordings on one CD.
Both are very special with the Dvorak boasting brass and woodwind
presence that is always within "easy reach". The Mozart
is performed with the Leitner loving care approach and will not let you
turn away from it for one single instant. Magnificent from top to
bottom. Very Highly recommended. More Leitner on page 13.

These
Mozart Piano Concertos were taken from a rare plum label RCA LP. The
original sound is quite good. Both works were recorded in Symphony
Hall, Boston in April of 1953. Lily Kraus plays with extreme insight the
pivotal 12th and with extra special care and reverence to top it off.
Truly outstanding performances restored perfectly. You will not be
disappointed.

The
Pierre Monteux Special Edition Box from RCA does not include these SFSO
performances for some strange reason. If you own the
invaluable 15 CD Monteux Edition Box you will notice that there is
room in it for one more CD. This CD will fit to make the Monteux
Edition Box even more complete. The Beethoven is high powered
and the oboe in the Wagner sounds like it came from Vienna by way of
Amsterdam. Splendid recording!

One
of the most transparent recordings ever of this pivotal music. Pierre
Monteux leads the Paris Conservatoire Orchestra in a very deliberate,
raw performance which seems to work well with this music. The
recording is close with plenty of front-to-back distance along with much
visceral low-end bass. A mint condition LP issue is the
source of this transfer.

Pierre
Monteux,Conductor
Vienna Philharmonic

BERLIOZ:
Symphonie Fantastique, Op. 14

$12.00
per CDSTEREO

This
is Pierre Monteux's personal
testament to this music, bearing slower tempi and frightening detail.
The first three movements are a testament to how this music should be
played according to Monteux. Truly a gripping experience. The march is
slow with the guillotine appearing in the distance with a ever slow
approach that is violent in sonic vision. The bells used in the finale
are the most haunting and twisted of any performance yet heard here.
FROM REEL-TO-REEL STEREO
TAPE

Another " must have".
We were not familiar with either Fournet's ACO Grieg or Zecchi's ACO Brahms. What a revelation! Fournet's Grieg is very good indeed. Zecchi's
Brahms is simply unbelievable bringing forth the Concertgebouw Orchestra
woodwinds in magnificent fashion within the Haydn House production studio
space. You
cannot overlook this CD issue. It's another Concertgebouw Orchestra
sonic fest to be sure. Highly recommended.

What a “wonderfind” this record
is! Unique, very detailed, great mono sound. Our experience here is simply Grieg sounding fresh, new and
individualistic. The Bamberg
SO plays with élan and dedication under Van Remoortel's direction. Highly
recommended.

Superb
on all fronts, playing sound and transfer as taken from an early but
seldom played Philips
LP pressing. This is equal to the Van Beinum of same with another
perspective including similar woodwinds sound.

One
of the most unusual recording of the last century, possessing an musical
quality that is very infectious. The mp3 sample
explains. This is the nostalgic choice of the summer 2004 season. Without a doubt, Concertgebouw Orchestra, Amsterdam
musicians make up this orchestra for this performance. This was recorded
"live" at St. John's
Church, Gouda, the Netherlands. A must.

The
"lost" Casadesus Concerto, in stereo,is
a wonderful work and enjoyed only a brief period of availability on CBS
LP. The Mozart concertos are superb renditions from the mid
40's 78 RPM era. All three works are transferred with our usual "labor
of love" standards. This a must for all Casadesus
enthusiasts as the lyricism with a kind of understatement works so well
with his own music as well with Mozart's. Martinon, Munch
and Barbirolli are perfect here too.

This
Beethoven Eroica recording is one of the best of the no fuss, "as
written" renditions with timpani force and intensity seldom heard
on recordings. The stereo sound is very good, and "close-in". Horns are somewhat distant but out
of the sonic picture. Trumpets leap out at you with a rawness that could
only please Beethoven himself along with those who understand and fully appreciate his volatile personality, along with the real purpose and original
dedicatee of this masterpiece. The original tape splices have fixed
too. Last but not least, the Minneapolis musicians are fully dedicated
and play with a momentum rarely heard these days. This is a must
have CD. High
Quality mp3
Samplehere

Charles Mackerras,Conductor English Chamber Orchestra

VORISEK: Symphony in D Major
DVORAK: Czech
Suite

$12.00
per CDSTEREO

Simply
perfect, beautifully recorded and transferred to CD. Vorisek
was a contemporary of Beethoven's and this Symphony in D is a gem.
The Dvorak receives a committed reading too as Mackerras is very
sensitive to any Czech music.